After seeing the last post on the Eastwood Bass VI, and the latest Madeira which features some chilling VI/Baritone riffs, this got me thinking...
My wife (who plays a little classical guitar) is also enthusiastic with the idea of accompanying my Surf guitar on bass, so it would be a learning experience for both of us.
So, I thought - why go 4 when you can have 6? Sure, they may sound a bit different than the norm, but please correct me if I'm wrong on this - a VI can do a usable Surf bass line, while still having the extended fun of a shorter scale and higher tones.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

I'm looking at 3 models right now (more options are welcome), if you have anything to say about them I'd appreciate it.
1. Eastwood Sidejack BASS VI $650
2. Schecter Hellcat VI $870
3. Agile Argus 630 $400

Quite a price and features differences between them.
As for looks, for me the Eastwood wins bigtime. For tones? that's where I need your help (Youtube clips really don't tell me anything).
I really don't know what I'm looking for, expect wanting it to sound and feel good for the long term, and for it to be able to deliver more or less standard bass functionality as well.
Thanks.

Last edited: Apr 04, 2012 14:52:27

I read an article by Bill Pittman (Bass IV player for most "Wrecking Crew" recordings including "lead Bass IV" on "The Lonely Surfer" & others). He related in the article how he went in to pick up strings & he saw this Danelectro Bass IV on display. He played it, he bought it & took it to sessions to "fool around with it". That is probably the Bass IV we hear on a lot of "studio" surf records (Super Socks, Hondells, Dick Dale (Capitol) & other hits (Jack Nitzsche, Ronnettes). I was lucky enough to see Glen Campbell last Fri nite & he & his son had an "old" Danelectro 6 string bass that they both used to play the lead solos on "Galveston" & "Wichita Lineman"....sounded GREAT ! Also, Duane Eddy used a Danelectro "6 string bass" on a lot of his recordings & it's pictured on "1,000,000 Worth of Twang" LP. (This is not the "longhorn" variety of Danelectro). With such "testimonials" toward the Danelectro Bass IV, maybe at least try one out. They look kind of "regular" but put out great tones. A band I was in used one in the mid-70's and it worked really well.

Last edited: Apr 04, 2012 16:38:35

I have an Agile Argus 630(2HB model) I modified by changing out the 3-way selector and replacing with an after market Jag slide switch.Not excited with the Agile headstock profile,I reshaped it into a JM style and added my SURF KING decal.Now I'm pleased with the sound and appearance.I have about $500 invested compared to $1700 for a Fender CIJ Bass VI.

Last edited: Apr 04, 2012 22:18:07

The bass player in my band (and he's really a guitarist who was willing to play bass and has become quite good at it) debuted his new Fender-style Bass VI at practice last night. He built it from parts, and it sounds great. He built a 3-switch model (on/off for each pickup). He otherwise uses a DiPinto Galaxie bass and a Fender Jazz. We found that his homemade VI puts out all the low end you'd want, but also throws in a lot of tonal variety. Good looker, too.. surf green with MOP pickguard and pickup covers, maple neck & board. I'll ask him for a pick to post. We found out last night how much fun it is to play Dueling Banjos played behind the bridge of a Jaguar and a VI.

Wonderful insights everyone, keep'em coming!

Just remember my situation: importing stuff here is expensive, and nothing can be found locally. Some good luthiers here though, if I decide to build something from scratch or parts, but hardware still needs to be ordered.

Jake, thanks. I don't know why but I trust your opinions. Can you elaborate on why the Eastwood guitars are always a little disappointing? Also why stay away from Agile? Just not very good craftmanship, materials, sound, or all the above?
I'm definitely looking at a parts build, it would make a very satisfying project. Currently reading a million threads about it on the OSG forum.

Jonfender , grear suggestion, but I don't see any current Dano Bass VI in their line, many baritones though (but I want mine to be more bass oriented than guitar, meaning lower E-E). Don't wanna go 2nd hand unless it's from someone here (like DP sold a while ago), and I don't have cash for vintage anyway. Maybe buy a bari and convert it? Can of worms? Not really interested in IV, if I was I'd probably go for a standard G&L Jazz or something.

vintagesurfdude , thanks, I'm sure they are awesome. But same as above, don't see a current Tiesco VI model, don't want 2nd hand 'cos I have no way to check it, don't want to convert a baritone, nor pay vintage prices... I'm in a tight corner here.

As for baritones, the Gretch look very nice too, but again, I really prefer a 30" scale.

GandyDancer , thanks for your input on the Agile. Still an option for me. How's the bridge on that? How's the fret job?

Cambeezy , yeah, that's the ultimate (apart from a real US vintage one). $1910

Pipeliner , I'd love to see a pic of that. Thanks for your input, a parts guitar is a really tempting project.

Thanks for all your wisdom, I'd love to hear more suggestions. It's not urgent in any way, I want a good guitar that will last a lifetime, but don't wanna pay too much isn't that common?

Last edited: Apr 05, 2012 02:21:08

DreadInBabylon wrote:

I really don't know what I'm looking for...

I have no experience with the three guits you've listed. But whatever you end up with, I highly recommend something with a trem system, preferably the JM/Jag style, unless you're using the VI strictly for bass lines.
I've got a re-issue Dano bari that sounds great but I really miss a trem.

yeah, that's the ultimate (apart from a real US vintage one). $1910

Yeah, its hard to justify the cost for something that (IMO) gets so little use. I keep hoping that Squire might do a Bass VI, heh.

cambeezy wrote:

I highly recommend something with a trem system, preferably the JM/Jag style, unless you're using the VI strictly for bass lines.

Yeah, my intent is to use it mainly for bass lines, but I'd really want the vibrato fun, I bet it can sound amazing.

I keep hoping that Squire might do a Bass VI, heh.

They really should. Maybe It'll come back in fashion...
Once they run out of ideas, then "hey, let's bring this thing back", do a whole bunch of marketing to the young, hip crowd

Ivan, that's a great insight, thank you. I wanted to ask what you used, since I know it's E-E and I've seen the pics from the studio. I imagined that naturally you'd have an AV, or a parts build, or CS. Surprise.
It sounds magnificent on the recording, so deep and commanding (I'm addicted to Ritual/pre now), and the layering of frequencies between the bass, VI and guitar (which are all low) is a work of art on it's own.

If I'm going to convert a baritone, more options are becoming available.
I do keep an eye on eBay, it's just that I have trouble trusting 2nd hand that I can't feel.
How's the neck/tuning holding up with the big(ger) strings?

Thanks for the suggestions!

IvanP wrote:

It was also a giant PITA to fit it with Bass VI strings, especially on the low E string, since the tuning head opening is not wide enough for the string, so I had to unwind some of the string winding in order to thin it out...

To get a heavier low E string thru the tuning peg on my Dano, I held my breath and drilled it out ever so slightly without shattering the peg. It worked!

andreuthegiant wrote:

A sidejack bass VI demo (non-surf content):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H75l_81w0Ok

GAS in progress.

Yeah, that thing looks fun.

http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadranchhands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEW74mHjQk

andreuthegiant wrote:

A sidejack bass VI demo (non-surf content):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H75l_81w0Ok
GAS in progress.

Fun indeed, but I can't hear the guitar! I haven't found even 1 clip that just demonstrates the pure sound, with reasonable playing. This Sidejack is really attractive, I'm tempted to just order it.

IvanP wrote:

Hey, I'm not made of money!

Over the years, you did collect some very nice gear though! Wishing you prosperity.

It's a lot of money for a one-trick pony instrument.

That's my dilemma - is is really? Can't it just be a Bass (as well)?

Some big chunk of the credit for that should probably go to our engineering team, though!

I would imagine. Great mix! Carving space in such close, low frequencies is an impressive feat.

Hope you can figure it all out to your satisfaction.

Thanks man!

Surfabilly wrote:

Maybe you'll get lucky, and find a Fender Bass VI at a price you can afford.

That would be amazing.

For me, what really makes the Fender Bass VI is the bass cut switch; so that, along with the pickup switching combos available, and it's a pretty versatile instrument.

Got you, bass-cut. Good point.